"hollow, ravine"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: English
Corey
Pronunciation: [ k-AWR-ee ]
Does Corey flow with your last name?
An Irish surname with an unmistakable 80s-cool energy
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Meaning & Origin
"raven"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Corey Haim and Corey Feldman 'The Two Coreys' — both had very public personal struggles
The Story of Corey
Corey derives from the Irish surname Ó Comhraidhe or Ó Corra, meaning descendant of Corra. Some etymologists connect Corra to the Irish word for 'hollow' or to a personal name meaning 'raven' (a bird of wisdom in Celtic mythology). It may also relate to the Old Norse 'kori' meaning chosen. The name crossed from surname to given name in the 20th century American tradition.
Corey peaked in the US in the 1980s, powered by child stars Corey Haim and Corey Feldman who dominated teen culture in films like The Lost Boys and The Goonies. It has been declining since the 1990s as it feels dated to that era.
In Ireland, Corey is primarily a surname (family name O'Corey), but American Irish diaspora adopted it as a given name enthusiastically. The name evokes 1980s American suburban youth culture strongly.
Historical Record
Corey first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 184,423 babies have been named Corey in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Corey is past its peak , currently ranked #679 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Corey Haim and Corey Feldman were so iconic they had a reality show called The Two Coreys in 2007-2008
- The name peaked at #39 in the US in 1988 — right in the middle of The Lost Boys era
- Corey is gender-neutral and has been used for both boys and girls, though it skews heavily male
Corey in Other Languages
Irish
Comhraidhe
French
Corey
German
Corey
English
Corey
Popularity Over Time
#679
Current Rank
Peaked 1977
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Corey
C
Corey Taylor
Musician
1973
Lead vocalist of Slipknot and Stone Sour, one of rock's most powerful voices
C
C
Corey Matthews Fictional
Other
Main character of the ABC sitcom Boy Meets World (1993-2000), played by Ben Savage
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #679
- Total SSA Count
- 402
- Cultural Origins
- Irish Scottish American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Cor
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, Scottish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Corey
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Corey is also used as a girl name, ranked #6960.
View Corey as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Irish)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Corey
What does the name Corey mean?
"hollow, ravine" (from Irish Gaelic). "raven" (from Irish Gaelic). Corey derives from the Irish surname Ó Comhraidhe or Ó Corra, meaning descendant of Corra. Some etymologists connect Corra to the Irish word for 'hollow' or to a personal name meaning 'raven' (a bird of wisdom in Celtic mythology). It may also relate to the Old Norse 'kori' meaning chosen. The name crossed from surname to given name in the 20th century American tradition.
What is the origin of the name Corey?
Corey has Irish Gaelic, Irish, Scottish, American, and English origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "hollow, ravine". In Irish Gaelic, it means "raven".
Is Corey a boy or girl name?
Corey is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #679. As a girl name, it is ranked #6960. Corey is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Corey?
Corey is pronounced k-AWR-ee.
How popular is the name Corey?
Corey is currently ranked #679 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Corey?
Common nicknames for Corey include Cor.
What are good middle names for Corey?
Popular middle name pairings include Corey James, Corey Michael, Corey Allen, Corey Lee, Corey Daniel, Corey Patrick, and Corey Ryan.
What are good sibling names for Corey?
Names that pair well with Corey as siblings include Ryan, Tyler, Ashley, Lindsay, Bryce, Kayla, and Shane.
How many syllables does Corey have?
Corey has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Corey a common or rare name?
Corey is moderately common, ranked #679 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Corey
Corey is a boy name with Irish, Scottish, American, and English origins . The name means "hollow, ravine" in Irish Gaelic .
Is Corey a boy or girl name? Corey is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #679 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #6,960. Corey is more commonly used as a boy name.
Corey is currently ranked #679 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Corey has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-AWR-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Corey include Cor. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis